Ben Lively Bio
Edward Bennett Lively, known professionally as Ben Lively, is an American professional baseball pitcher. Born on March 5, 1992, in Pensacola, Florida, Lively has built a long career as a starting pitcher, appearing in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Guardians, while also spending three seasons in the KBO League with the Samsung Lions in South Korea.
Through the 2025 MLB season, Lively has recorded a 23–29 win–loss record, a 4.38 earned run average (ERA), and 306 strikeouts in his major league career. In the KBO League through 2021, he posted a 10–12 record, a 4.14 ERA, and 191 strikeouts. A right-handed starting pitcher, Lively is recognized for his durability and his steady presence on the mound across multiple organizations.
Early Life and Background
Ben Lively was born to Edward and Ginny Lively in Pensacola, Florida, where he grew up surrounded by a family that nurtured his love of baseball. He began playing organized baseball at age four in a Tee-ball league, joining a year early because of his developing skills and because his grandfather, Jim Lively, was the league commissioner. His grandfather also coached him throughout his childhood, helping shape his early understanding of the game.
Lively graduated from Gulf Breeze High School, where he continued to develop as a pitcher. After high school, the Cleveland Indians selected him in the 26th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft, but he chose not to sign. Instead, he accepted a scholarship to attend the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he pitched for the UCF Knights baseball team for three seasons.
During his time at UCF, Lively compiled a 21–8 record with a 3.06 ERA and 226 strikeouts over 244 innings pitched. After his sophomore year in 2012, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox of the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, gaining valuable experience against top amateur talent.
Path to Baseball
Lively’s professional path began when the Cincinnati Reds selected him in the fourth round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut that same year with the Billings Mustangs, also making one start with the Dayton Dragons. In his first professional season, Lively went 0–4 but impressed with a 0.88 ERA and 56 strikeouts across 41 innings of work.
He started the 2014 season with the Bakersfield Blaze and was later promoted, eventually being named the top player in the Reds’ farm system that year after posting a combined 13–7 record and 3.04 ERA between Bakersfield and the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos. His rapid development through the minor leagues marked him as a prospect on the rise.
On December 31, 2014, the Reds traded Lively to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for outfielder Marlon Byrd, setting the stage for his eventual major league debut. The trade gave Lively a new organization to develop within and ultimately led to his first opportunity at the highest level.
Ben Lively Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
After joining the Phillies organization, Lively spent the 2015 season with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils, going 8–7 with a 4.13 ERA across 25 games. He began the 2016 season at Reading before earning a promotion to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. That year, he was honored with the Paul Owens Award as the best pitcher in the Phillies’ farm system, recognizing his consistency and improvement.
Following the 2016 season, the Phillies added Lively to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, signaling their confidence in his long-term potential. He was assigned to Lehigh Valley to open the 2017 season, where he continued refining his approach as a starting pitcher before receiving his call to the majors.
Major League Debut with the Philadelphia Phillies (2017–2018)
On June 3, 2017, Lively made his Major League debut with the Philadelphia Phillies against the San Francisco Giants. He allowed one run on four hits and three walks but earned his first major league win in the outing. In a June 24 start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he collected his first major league RBI with a two-run home run, though he took the loss after giving up four earned runs.
He finished his rookie season with a 4–7 record and a 4.26 ERA in 15 major league appearances. In 2018, Lively struggled to a 0–2 record and 6.85 ERA across five games with Philadelphia, leading to his designation for assignment on September 3, 2018.
Kansas City Royals and Arizona Diamondbacks (2018–2019)
On September 5, 2018, the Kansas City Royals claimed Lively off waivers, adding him to their 40-man roster. He recorded a 1.35 ERA in 6.2 innings for Kansas City that season. Assigned to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers to begin 2019, Lively was designated for assignment on June 20, 2019, following the promotion of Humberto Arteaga. He allowed three runs in his only inning pitched for the Royals in 2019.
On June 22, 2019, Lively was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations. He was assigned to the Triple-A Reno Aces, where he posted a 5.04 ERA and a 2–1 record across seven appearances before leaving the organization.
Samsung Lions in the KBO League (2019–2021)
On August 7, 2019, Lively signed with the Samsung Lions of the KBO League in South Korea, beginning a three-season run in international baseball. In his first season, he pitched to a 4–4 record and a 3.95 ERA. He re-signed with Samsung for the 2020 season on a $700,000 contract, going 6–7 with a 4.26 ERA in 21 appearances.
Lively made only six appearances in 2021, registering a 4.05 ERA before being released on June 1, 2021, after being diagnosed with a shoulder injury. Across his KBO tenure through 2021, he finished with a 10–12 record, a 4.14 ERA, and 191 strikeouts.
Cincinnati Reds Second Stint (2022–2023)
On January 6, 2022, Lively signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds and spent the entire year with the Triple-A Louisville Bats, going 2–5 with a 4.09 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 77 innings. He elected free agency on November 10, then re-signed with the Reds on November 19, 2022, on another minor league deal.
Assigned to Louisville in 2023, Lively posted a 4–0 record and 2.33 ERA before having his contract selected on May 9, 2023. He made his first start on May 20 against the New York Yankees, recording a career-high eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings. In 19 total games (12 starts) for Cincinnati in 2023, he went 4–7 with a 5.38 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 88.2 innings, before being outrighted to Triple-A and electing free agency on November 6.
Cleveland Guardians Era (2024–Present)
On December 12, 2023, Lively signed a major league contract with the Cleveland Guardians. In 2024, he started 29 games, pitching to a 3.81 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 151 innings. Although he was not selected to the Guardians’ active roster during their ALDS series against the Detroit Tigers or the ALCS against the New York Yankees, he remained a key part of Cleveland’s starting rotation.
In November 2024, Lively signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Guardians to avoid arbitration. He unexpectedly started on Opening Day in 2025 when planned starter Tanner Bibee became unavailable due to acute gastroenteritis, allowing three runs and four hits in five innings. In nine starts that season, he went 2–2 with a 3.22 ERA and 29 strikeouts across 44.2 innings.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lively is known as a contact-management pitcher who relies on command and pitch efficiency rather than overpowering velocity. His strengths include inducing ground balls, working quickly, and providing innings for his team, qualities that have made him a reliable back-of-the-rotation starter throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Lively’s notable moments are his major league debut win against the San Francisco Giants in June 2017, his first career home run and RBI against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and his unexpected Opening Day start for the Cleveland Guardians in 2025. He also earned the 2016 Paul Owens Award as the top pitcher in the Phillies’ farm system.
Ben Lively Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ben Lively was raised by his parents, Edward and Ginny Lively, in Pensacola, Florida. His grandfather, Jim Lively, served as both coach and mentor throughout his childhood, playing a formative role in his development as a baseball player. The family’s early encouragement laid the foundation for his lifelong career in the sport.
Personal Life
Lively’s personal life has remained largely private, with few public details available about relationships or family beyond his parents and grandfather. His career has required relocations across the United States and internationally, including three seasons in South Korea with the Samsung Lions.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a difficult one for Lively, despite a strong start. He was unexpectedly tapped to start Opening Day for the Cleveland Guardians when Tanner Bibee was sidelined by illness, allowing three runs on four hits across five innings. In nine total starts, he posted a 2–2 record and a 3.22 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 44.2 innings pitched, showing flashes of the command that defined his 2024 campaign.
On May 23, 2025, it was announced that Lively would undergo Tommy John surgery and a flexor tendon repair, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. Following the surgery, on November 6, he was removed from the Guardians’ 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. He rejected the assignment and elected free agency, opening the door to a new chapter in his career.
On February 12, 2026, Lively agreed to re-sign with the Guardians organization on a two-year minor league contract, signaling his intention to continue pitching as he works his way back from injury. His return to Cleveland provides a familiar setting for his rehabilitation and his pursuit of another major league opportunity.
